Rev. Jeremiah Wright to Kick off Bowie State Conference on Martin Luther King

April 2, 2013

WHAT: Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Jr. will explore the impact of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s nonviolent social change philosophies at a free public lecture on the 45th anniversary of King’s assassination. His lecture will kick off Bowie State University’s inaugural Conference Commemorating Dr. King’s Legacy of Nonviolence and Civil Rights Leadership. Tickets are not required.

The free conference continues Friday, April 5 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. in the Center for Learning and Technology, with sessions led by experts addressing topics examining the legacy and influence of King and his leadership practice. Dr. Yohuru Williams, a noted civil rights scholar and associate professor of African American history at Fairfield University, will deliver the keynote address Friday at 12:45 p.m. in the Wiseman Student Centre. He has written numerous scholarly articles, as well as the 2006 book, “Black Politics/White Power: Civil Rights, Black Power, and Black Panthers in New Haven.” View the entire conference schedule.

WHO: Wright, pastor emeritus at the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, led the church for more than three decades as senior pastor, growing the congregation from 87 members to more than 8,000. When he retired in 2008, the church had more than 50 active ministries and programs centered on social justice advocacy, including HIV/AIDS outreach programs and two senior housing complexes. Wright also led the church in establishing an African-centered Christian elementary school, Kwame Nkrumah Academy, which has served low-income families on Chicago’s South Side since 2008.

Wright now spends his time preaching, teaching, and leading study tours to Africa, Brazil and the Caribbean. Wright has published four books of sermons widely used in seminaries. He serves on the Board of Trustees of Kwame Nkrumah Academy and Virginia Union University.

ABOUT BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITYBowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, seeking a high-quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The University places special emphasis on the science, technology, teacher education, business, and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit the website atwww.bowiestate.edu.